Department
of Justice

FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22,1999
WWW.USDOJ.GOV

CRM
(202) 202-307-7977
TDD (202) 514-1888

OPERATION
IMPUNITY DISMANTLES NATIONWIDEDRUG
TRAFFICKING OPERATION

The Department of
Justice, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
and the U.S. Customs Service today announced the conclusion of a two-year
international investigation which culminated in the arrest of 93 individuals
linked to the Amado Carillo Fuentes drug trafficking organization, headquartered
in Mexico. "Operation Impunity" was a multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency
complex investigation which tied drug trafficking activity within the
United States to the highest levels of the cocaine trade operating today.

"The impact of Operation
Impunity is significant," said Attorney General Janet Reno. "By targeting
the cartel's importation, transportation and distribution network, we
have substantially hindered their ability to move cocaine and other drugs
into, and around, this country."

Donnie Marshall,
Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, stated that
"this investigation graphically proves the reach and depth of the internationally
directed cocaine trade that affects far too many communities within our
nation -- from major cities to smaller cities, from suburban locations
to rural areas." During the duration of Operation Impunity, over $19 million
in U.S. currency was seized, another $7 million in assets, as well as
over 12,434 kilos of cocaine and over 4,800 lbs. of marijuana.

The most critical
aspect of the investigation was the identification and arrest of three
major drug trafficking cell heads -- individuals who are on the payroll
of major drug lords who direct their operations within U.S. cities: Arturo
Arredondo aka "Aman" who was responsible for giving orders to traffickers
based in the United States regarding all U.S. transportation and distribution
activities; Jesse Quintanilla aka "Sobrino" who was
in charge of all Chicago distribution of cocaine from Mexico; and Jorge
Ontiveros-Rodriguez aka "Guillermo Alfonso" who was the San Diego cell
head responsible for cocaine distribution. All three worked for the Amado
Carillo Fuentes organization, basedin Juarez,
Mexico.

In 1997, Amado
Carillo Fuentes, one of the most powerful drug traffickers in the world,
died as a result of plastic surgery designed to change his appearance
to evade law enforcement. A key lieutenant of the ACF organization, Gilberto
Salinas Soria aka Gilberto Garza-Garcia, who was arrested by Mexican authorities
in January 1999, directed U.S. affiliates from Mexico. Operation Impunity
provided concrete evidence of their oversight and involvement in the day-to-day
operations of their affiliates in the United States.

Typically, operatives
of the ACF organization -- targeted at all levels by federal agents in
Operation Impunity -- moved hundreds of tons of Colombian cocaine from
Mexico, to McAllen, Texas to other cities such as San Diego, Chicago,
Atlanta, and New York. From there it was moved to other cities like Nashville,
Miami, Detroit, Raleigh, Houston, Newark, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Tulsa
and Los Angeles where it was distributed to domestic organizations who
guaranteed its sale on the streets of U.S. communities. Additionally,
over a hundred million dollars in U.S. currency was returned to drug lords
in Mexico by the same operatives who drove vehicles with bulk cash over
U.S. highways. Traffickers based in Mexico and their U.S. affiliates communicated
through various sophisticated means, taking full advantage of personal
communications systems which the traffickers believed were safe from law
enforcement attention.

Operation Impunity
was coordinated by the Special Operations Division (SOD), which is a combined
investigative coordination center for major narcotics and money laundering
investigations involving the DEA, U.S. Customs Service, FBI, and IRS.
In addition, there were numerous federal prosecutors in the field and
with the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Narcotics and Dangerous
Drug Section, Office of Enforcement Operations, and Office on International
Affairs. Also involved were the U.S. Attorneys Offices in the Southern
District of Texas, Southern and Central Districts of California, Eastern
District of Pennsylvania, District of Newark, Northern District of Georgia,
Northern District of Oklahoma, Eastern District of North Carolina, Eastern
District of New York, Eastern District of Michigan, Middle District of
Tennessee, Southern District of Florida, and the Northern District of
Illinois.

FBI Director Louis
Freeh underscored that, "The success of Operation Impunity is an example
of what can be achieved through cooperative efforts of all law enforcement
agencies in addressing the most insidious crime problem facing our communities
today."

"Drug investigations
have become increasingly complex," added U.S. Customs Commissioner Raymond
Kelly, "The best way to fight drug dealers effectively is by pooling our
talents and resources. Operation Impunity is an excellent example of law
enforcement pulling together to fight a common enemy."

Acting Administrator
Marshall concluded that, "this operation was undertaken to prove that
traffickers in Mexico and the United States no longer operate with impunity.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal and state law enforcement
agencies will continue to target and disable major drug trafficking organizations
in order to bring the highest levels of the drug trade to justice."

Amado
Carrillo-Fuentes Organization

Function:
Before his death in 1997, Amado Carrillo-Fuentes was responsible for the
command and control of the transportation of cocaine to the United States,
the domestic distribution of cocaine within the United States, and the
movement of drug money back to Mexico.

Significance:
This group provides cocaine transportation services to Colombia-based
trafficking organizations and serves as a wholesale distributor of its
own cocaine in the United States.

Status:
Following the death of Amado Carrillo-Fuentes, this group was fragmented
by internal power struggles, but remains one of the most powerful drug-trafficking
organizations in Mexico.

Alcides
Ramon-Magana; aka "El Metro"

Function:
This Mexican citizen was the transportation coordinator between cocaine
traffickers in Colombia and major traffickers in Mexico.

Significance:
El Metro, given control of Cancun by Amado himself, guaranteed safe delivery
of cocaine from Cancun to Reynosa, Mexico.

Status:
Under investigation by Mexican authorities.

Gilberto
Salinas-Doria; aka Gilberto Garza-Garcia, aka
Guero

Function:
Command & control of all transportation and drug distribution from
Reynosa to stash houses across the U.S. border, then, via trucks, to distribution
cells working for Salinas-Doria.

Significance:
His influence extended from Reynosa to Chicago, NewYork City, Newark,
Philadelphia, Atlanta, and other U.S. cities.

Status:
Arrested by Mexican police. In January 1999, the U.S. government has requested
extradition of this former Donna, Texas police officer and multiple homicide
suspect. Salinas-Doria is wanted for drug conspiracies in Atlanta, Brownsville,
and McAllen.

Marco
Flores; aka Chavez

Function:
This dual Mexican/U.S. citizen was one of three top lieutenants of Salinas-Doria.

Significance:
A major transportation coordinator across the Mexico/U.S. border to Chicago,
Houston, and a number of East Coast cities.

Status:
Believed to have been killed in Mexico in January 1999 by order of Salinas-Doria
for the loss of a 1,000 kilogram cocaine shipment.

Victor
Ortega; aka Pelon

Function:
This Mexican citizen was one of three top lieutenants of Salinas-Doria.

Significance:
A major transportation coordinator across the U.S. border to Chicago,
Houston, and a number of East Coast cities.

Status:
He has been indicted in Houston, Texas, and the U.S. government has requested
Mexican assistance in his apprehension.

Jaime
Aguilar-Gastelum; aka Don Jaime

Function:
This Mexican citizen was one of three top lieutenants of Salinas-Doria.

Significance:
A major transportation coordinator across the U.S. border to Chicago,
Houston, and a number of East Coast cities.

Status:
Arrested in Mexico by Mexican authorities on September 22, 1999.

Arturo
Arredondo; aka Aman

Function:
This dual Mexican/U.S. citizen supervised the loading of tractor trailers
with cocaine concealed by produce. The trucking companies were owned by
his underlings. He took orders from traffickers in Mexico and gave orders
to traffickers based in the United States regarding all U.S. transportation
and distribution activities.

Significance:
Arredondo was the highest ranking trafficker of this U.S.-based network.

Status:
Arrested by the DEA in McAllen, Texas, in August 1999.

Jesse
Quintanilla; aka Sobrino

Function:
This dual Mexican/U.S. citizen was in charge of all Chicago distribution
of cocaine from Mexico.

Significance:
Quintanilla is the nephew of Salinas-Doria and the Chicago cell head.

Status:
Arrested by the DEA in Chicago in May 1998.

Ubaldo
Aguilar; aka Colorado

Function:
This dual Mexican/U.S. citizen received shipments of cocaine from Arredondo
and turned them over to Colombian traffickers in New York City.

Significance:
One of three top Mexicans controlling incoming shipments to New York City
and Chicago.

Status:
Arrested by the DEA in August 1999 in McAllen, Texas.

Alisandro
Perez; aka Plumas

Function:
This dual Mexican/U.S. citizen was a major East Coast transportation coordinator.

Significance:
Supervised the off-loading of cocaine shipments arriving by tractor trailers
to the Northeast and transferred the cocaine to local traffickers from
Colombia.

Status:
Arrested by the DEA in August 1999 in McAllen, Texas.

Tomas
Garza-Adams

Function:
This dual Mexican/U.S. citizen was a major East Coast transportation coordinator.

Significance:
Supervised the off-loading of cocaine shipments arriving by tractor trailers
to the Northeast and transferred the cocaine to local traffickers from
Colombia.

Status:
Believed to have been killed in Mexico in January 1999 by order of Salinas-Doria
for the loss of a 1,000 kilogram cocaine shipment.

Jorge
Ontiveros-Rodriguez; aka Guillermo Alfonso

Function:
This dual Cuban/U.S. citizen was the San Diego cell head responsible for
cocaine distribution.

Significance:
Controlled distribution for several U.S. distribution groups in Atlanta,
Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami.

Significance:
Diaz was hired by Arredondo to perform logistical work in New York City.

Status:
Arrested in the Dominican Republic on U.S. charges with the cooperation
and assistance of the government of the Dominican Republic in August 1999;
the U.S. government has requested extradition.

Julio
Ramos

Function:
This Dominican citizen was the direct boss of Diaz.

Significance:
Operating from the Dominican Republic, he directed operations in the United
States.

Status:
Arrested in the Dominican Republic on U.S. charges with the cooperation
and assistance of the government of the Dominican Republic in August 1999;
the U.S. government has requested extradition.

Camilo
Barraza; aka Cami

Function:
This Mexican citizen was the cell head in Los Angeles and the distribution
head in Chicago.

Significance:
The DEA seized 500 kilograms of cocaine from him in Chicago.

Status:
Fugitive at large.

Gary
Lee Fox; aka Popeye

Function:
This U.S. citizen handled all transportation for U.S.-based distribution
groups.

Significance:
He specifically handled transportation of cocaine and money for the Ontiveros
cell.

Status:
Pending arrest.

Broderick
Hurst; aka King Kong

Function:
This U.S. citizen was a self-employed Atlanta cell head for cocaine distribution.

Significance:
He handled all local cocaine distribution in the Atlanta area.

Status:
Arrested by the DEA in Miami on September 20, 1999.

Vincent
Clinch

Function:
This U.S. citizen was a self-employed Ft. Lauderdale cell head for cocaine
distribution.

Significance:
He handled all local cocaine distribution in the South Florida area.